The History of Fetal Doppler Stethoscope
Fetal monitoring is defined by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality as "The use of an instrument to record or listen to a fetus' heartbeat during pregnancy and labor." One such instrument used for fetal monitoring is the fetal Doppler ultrasound stethoscope.
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Invention of the Stethoscope
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Since 1816 when French physician Rene Theophile-Hyacinthe Laennec invented an instrument to examine a patient thought to have tuberculosis, the stethoscope has been one of the most important diagnostic tools in medicine. The stethoscope is an informative and reliable tool used to diagnose disease. Since Laennec's invention, the stethoscope has evolved significantly.
Doppler used in pregnancies
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The first use of Doppler ultrasonography to study flow velocity in the fetal umbilical artery was reported in 1977, according to Dr. Mohammed Abdalla of Egypt, who reported "Doppler frequency is obtained by measuring the time difference for the signal to be returned when reflected from moving scatterers."
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Fetal Doppler Ultrasound Stethoscopes
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Fetal Doppler ultrasound stethoscopes allow a doctor to detect fetal heart rates as early as nine weeks. These stethoscopes aid in confirming life throughout the pregnancy. They are also used to assess the fetal heart rate and heart rhythm during labor and delivery.
Normal Fetal Heart Rate
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By the time it can be heard using a fetal Doppler stethoscope, the normal fetal heart rate varies somewhere between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
Fetal Doppler Ultrasound Stethoscopes
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One or two stethoscopes can be attached to an ultrasound unit to provide clear sound transmission. A hand held fetal Doppler ultrasound stethoscope usually requires a 9-volt battery and costs approximately $1,200, depending on the manufacturer and model.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of foundphotoslj
